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Leeds United made the transfer of Ryan Edmondson official today, as the club announced that the Harrogate born 16 year-old striker, who was a boyhood Leeds United fan, signed with Leeds from York City. The striker is set to start his Leeds career with the Academy, as he looks to spend time with both the U18s and U23s.
| Leeds United have today completed the signing of promising forward Ryan Edmondson from York City
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 15, 2017
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York City was also happy to confirm the deal, as the National League North side is happy to see one of their own move on to bigger and better things.
The York City official website said that the move was beneficial to Edmondson, as they were happy he was able to go to his boyhood club, and they also hoped that they would be able to strengthen the links between York City and Leeds United, saying,
The deal includes a number of financial incentives related to Edmondson's performance at Elland Road which could benefit City further in coming years.
City, who recently took young Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell on a month's loan, are hoping to strengthen links with Leeds at Academy level going forward.
York City is a “sleeping giant” in Non-League football, as they are a fully professional team in the 6th level in the English pyramid, with their ground, Bootham Crescent, having a capacity of over 8,000. By comparison, fellow National League North side North Ferriby United’s home ground, EON Visual Media Stadium, holds 2,700, and local team Guiseley AFC, who are in the National League, just went fully professional and their ground, Nethmoor Park, holds 3,000.
Leeds already have links with a Spanish second division club, Cultural Leonesa, so it’s good to see the club have links with local sides as well. And while York City could be seen as a rival in the past, the level the club currently is at, plus Leeds United’s ambition to be a Premier League club, means that any rivalry should be on hold, at least until the two teams are battling it out in a Cup tie. So maybe more players could get some time out on loan at York City in the future, and hopefully York City can use the resources to improve and move back into the Football League.